The theory of legal interpretation by Hans Kelsen: a critical approach based on Friedrich Müller writings

Abstract

The article examines the theory of legal interpretation as presented by Hans Kelsen on his “Pure Theory of Law”, under the critical approach of Friedrich Müller, on his “Structuring Theory of Law” [Strukturiende Rechstslehre]. The article shall demonstrate how Kelsen’s distinction between sein [being] and sollen [shouldbe] – as a fundamental feature of his epistemological project – influenced the theory of interpretation he proposed. Also, this work presents in detail the theory of legal interpretation of Kelsen to thereafter make an inventory of critics formulated about it, under the guideline from works of Friedrich Müller, besides the approach of other authors.